BRENDAN - Dodge says its trucks are built "Ram Tough" and reading up
on the new 2002 Dodge Ram SLT Regular Cab pickup made me more aware and
trusting of Dodge's claims. These are tough trucks that make their
drivers feel like they can take on just about anything that stands in
their way. The have masculine "big-rig" looks that has other truck-
makers, both domestic and imported, playing catch-up with their own
versions of "rugged" styling. The Ram series has two new, more powerful
and more efficient engines for 2002. They are the all-new 3.7-liter
Magnum V6 with 210 horsepower, which replaces the 175-hp, 3.9-liter
version, and the 4.7-liter Magnum V8 with 235 horses that replaces the
230-horse, 5.2-liter powerplant of last year. The other engine Dodge
offers is its big 5.9-liter V8 that puts out 245 ponies and a ton of
torque. It's the only "old" engine that's back.

MIKELE - I love old Dodges, Bren. We had a lot of fun in our 1966
Dart slant-six and I'll bet that it will keep on running forever. Your
Dad told me that in the old days, he had both a van and a pickup truck
that used the slant-six. Dodge has put out a real beauty in this Ram SLT
that we evaluated. Besides the new engine, it has an all-new automatic
transmission that is not only quieter, but adds a lot of responsiveness.
It's the only transmission in its class with a reverse gear ratio equal
to its low gear ratio which I guess makes it easier to back up when it's
out on truck jobs like construction sites. It also has a unique "second"
2nd gear ratio that comes in handy for difficult towing jobs when they
involve climbing grades. Its suspension is improved for the new year,
too. Dodge developed a better balance of ride, handling, and brake
performance and I guess that was done to make it more acceptable by
families that buy pickups as second "cars." It's a huge market now, so
the more "civilized" a truck rides and handles, the more chance it has
to be accepted as part of the family by Mom.

BRENDAN - The four-wheel drive model Dodge trucks have a new torsion
bar independent front suspension for 2002 and both the two-wheel and
four-wheel drive models have recalibrated steering ratios for better
maneuverability and easier parking. And this year, the Ram SLT has disc
brakes all around. The maximum towing rate has been boosted to 8600
pounds from the 7950 pounds that was its max last year. Your brother Tom
would appreciate that for towing his ski boat. The Ram pickup cab size
has been increased by three inches for 2002, which aids in rear storage
and seat reclining ability. I'm a big guy, so a big cab like the one on
the Ram allows me to avoid that knees-into-the-steering wheel feeling
that I get from our own mini-pickup. The front seats on the Ram SLT has
a 40/20/40 split, which allows it to be used as a three-across bench
seat for three adults. With the center section down, it has lots of
storage for the driver and a single passenger. The center-section
portion of the seat also has an under-cushion compartment.

MIKELE - That would be perfect for us, Bren. Most folks store a lot
of junk in their pickups. Leather seating can be had in the Ram SLT, but
somehow I've always thought leather seats are out of place in a "regular
guy" pickup. Drivers shorter than you can have an optional power
adjustable brake and accelerator pedals as part of their Ram. It's not a
problem for you, but us "regular" people appreciate niceties like that.

BRENDAN - The lines of the new Ram aren't all that different from
the previous model, but I think it has an even bolder front end, with an
in-your-face appearance that makes it look like a semi-truck is bearing
down on you when you see it in your rear-view mirror. Ram set the bar
for safety in the past with the first driver and passenger airbags in
its segment, and for 2002 it is the first full-size pickup to offer side
curtain airbags. It also has the largest brakes in its class, making it
a safe truck with class and style.

MIKELE - I know where you're going with this one, Bren, and no, we
don't need a newer, bigger pickup truck.